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April 18, 2013

Experts Examine Mediterranean Diet’s Health Effects For Older Adults

by editor

According to a study published in the Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, a baseline adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) is associated with a lower risk of hyperuricemia, defined as a serum uric acid (SUA) concentration higher than 7mg/dl in men and higher than 6mg/dl in women.

Hyperuricemia has been associated with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, gout, and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The MeDiet is characterized by a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, nuts, and whole grain; a moderate consumption of wine, dairy products, and poultry, and a low consumption of red meat, sweet beverages, creams, and pastries. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the MeDiet might play a role in decreasing SUA concentrations.

The findings below demonstrate the positive health effects of a MeDiet in older adults:

-Rates of reversion were higher among hyperuricemic participants at baseline who had greater adherence to the MeDiet.
-Consuming less than one serving a day of red meat compared with higher intake is associated with 23 percent reduced risk of hyperuricemia.
-Consuming fish and seafood increased the prevalence of hyperuricemia.
-Drinking more than seven glasses of wine per week increased the prevalence of hyperuricemia.
-Consuming legumes and sofrito sauce reduced the prevalence of hyperuricemia.
-Reversion of hyperuricemia was achieved by adherence to the MeDiet alone, without weight loss or changes to physical activity.